Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Serial Number / History Requests => Topic started by: Clarky on June 11, 2020, 11:32:30 AM

Title: (x) 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: Clarky on June 11, 2020, 11:32:30 AM: Hi Mica and team I just acquired a fairly beat up '84 Spoiler and would be intrigued to know any history you can provide. It's gloss black but, despite the seller saying its the original paint job, the chips and dings show a very red wood underneath. Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 8413927
Post by: adriaan on June 11, 2020, 11:42:23 AM: Guessing the serial number could be 84 S 3927?
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 8413927
Post by: Clarky on June 11, 2020, 11:50:57 AM: Thanks, you are undoubtedly right! The ebony at the final fret is quite 'compressed' so its not that easy to read the S/N
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 8413927
Post by: jazzyvee on June 11, 2020, 01:12:45 PM: Have you tried rubbing technique like brass rubbing technique with charcoal or a pencil over paper over the area that might reveal the serial number.
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: Clarky on June 11, 2020, 03:24:24 PM: To update: its 84S3127 after close inspection
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: jwright9 on June 11, 2020, 03:28:01 PM: 84 S 3127
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: Clarky on June 12, 2020, 06:24:21 AM: After a search of the site, I see it changed hands here back in 2011 (and has same red wood under the black).

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=13852.msg145326#msg145326
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: gearhed289 on June 12, 2020, 07:14:22 AM: Anyone know what this reply is referencing?:

"$1200 is quite a deal considering the paisley pedigree!!!!"
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: adriaan on June 12, 2020, 08:17:04 AM: Quote from: gearhed289 on June 12, 2020, 07:14:22 AM
Anyone know what this reply is referencing?:

"$1200 is quite a deal considering the paisley pedigree!!!!"
My best guess is it hints at Paisley Park, as Prince (or his bassist) had a painted Spoiler - though it was positively white, not black.
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: Clarky on June 12, 2020, 11:33:52 AM: I have dropped the long time-ago owner a message although he hasn't been on the forum since February, so we will see.

Meanwhile, Mica if you have any details that would be fab!
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: hg30904 on June 12, 2020, 11:54:39 AM: Call me. I emailed you my number. Harold
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: Clarky on June 12, 2020, 12:09:51 PM: Thanks Harold, I am in the UK so have dropped you an email :D
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: Clarky on August 26, 2020, 11:58:19 AM: ooh, I see Mica is working through some serial number history requests so I am cheekily bumping this to the top of the queue ;D
Title: Re: 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: mica on August 26, 2020, 02:18:31 PM: (hint: I try to answer oldest to newest, so bumping will usually make you go to the end of the stack)

Here's what I found in the file for this bass:

serial number: 84S3127
model: Spoiler
model number: SMB4
top: Bird's-eye Maple
accent: none
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple
scale: 32" medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Pearloid (plastic) ovals
pickups: Alembic AXY4
controls: "Spoiler" volume, filter, Q switch, 4-position rotary pickup selector switch, mono output
originally made for: Guitar Center, Hollywood, CA
birthday: April 18, 1984

Was here for repair in 2013. We replaced the logo, did an RF upgrade on the electronics, replaced the battery connector, cleaned up the volume pot connection, and touched up silver paint. At the time the bass was still living in southern California.

So it doesn't seem the black paint is original.
Title: Re: (x) 1984 black Spoiler 84S3127
Post by: Clarky on August 26, 2020, 03:05:08 PM: Many thanks Mica - sorry about my 'cunning plan' to bump the thread!

I suspected the paint finish was non original as its very fragile. Thanks for the confirmation.